THE donation tally is still being counted, but Ronald McDonald House staff and volunteers are already celebrating Saturday’s ball as “superb”. Seated guests totalled 353, which executive officer Rebecca Walsh said was slightly higher than previous years. “From the feedback we’ve had, it was the best ball yet – a couple of people said it was the best food we’ve ever had,” she said. Ms Walsh hoped to surpass last year’s total of $75,000. Attendees sponsored 83 nights, meaning they donated the cost of providing a room to a family in need. Thirty-one of them came from the Central Western Daily, which sponsored one room for every day in January. READ MORE: Couple thanks Ronald McDonald House for crucial support Fairfax Media chief financial officer Renee Duffy said the newspaper had supported the endeavour since its early stages and those efforts would continue. “They are so crucial in supporting families and people from the whole region benefit,” she said. Jo Fletcher was one of the 15 volunteers taking donations on the night. A volunteer of three years, she said she became involved through her employer, Woolworths. “They’re one of the major sponsors here and I decided I wanted something more so I went to Ronald McDonald House and I love it,” she said. READ ALSO: Volunteers are still giving after 8641 hours at Ronald McDonald House “It keeps families together and it gives me an outlet. “I started out doing the housekeeping and I then decided to do the overnight volunteering.” Entertaining guests on the night was Cirkus Surreal, made up student in years 8-12 at Kelso’s Denison College of Secondary Education. Director Stephanie Brown said the students relished the opportunity to perform. “It gives them the opportunity to learn something they enjoy,” she said.